The community college movement expanded into Robeson County with the establishment of an extension unit of a nearby technical institute in 1965. The unit was established at the Barker Ten-Mile Elementary School seven miles north of Lumberton. Twenty full-time curriculum students enrolled the first year. When the College became independent of Fayetteville Technical Institute three years later, it was named Robeson Technical Institute, and a local Board of Trustees comprised of eight members was appointed. Two more name changes have taken place since that time to its present name of Robeson Community College.
